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U.S. EPA, SF State University form partnership to engage students in agency’s sustainability agenda

Release Date: 05/14/2010
Contact Information: Nahal Mogharabi, 415-947-4307, mogharabi.nahal@epa.gov

(SAN FRANCISCO –5/14/10) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and San Francisco State University today signed a memorandum of understanding to formalize and strengthen the ties between EPA’s regional water programs and SF State’s Environmental Studies Program to enhance the education and training of students to become strong environmental professionals.

“This is an exciting day for EPA and San Francisco State," said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA Regional Administrator. "Partnerships like this are developing a new generation of environmental leaders who will advance sustainable technologies, protect the health of our communities, and find solutions to global environmental challenges.”

SF State has served the San Francisco community for over 100 years and is widely recognized as one of the most ethnically diverse universities in the nation. Undergraduate enrollment consists of 66% people of color. Fifty percent of baccalaureate degrees awarded from SF State are earned by underrepresented minority groups, placing SF State 12^th in the nation for awarding undergraduate degrees to minorities.

Celebrating its 10^th anniversary this year, the Environmental Studies Program of SF State attracts students from a wide range of academic interests and cultural backgrounds. With its strong commitment to social justice and sustainability efforts, the program crosses the boundaries of traditional disciplines and challenges faculty and students to look at environmental issues from a variety of perspectives. The students integrate coursework from the physical to the social sciences, as well as humanities and business. The faculty, who are also part of the environmental leadership of the San Francisco Bay region, teach and actively investigate local and international environmental issues.

“San Francisco State and the Environmental Studies Program strives to inspire students to become active citizens and to make social change to address environmental issues, said Joel Kassiola, Dean, College of Behavioral and Social Sciences. “We look forward to the new internships and career options that will become available to our students from this new relationship with EPA.”

The agreement between EPA and San Francisco State presents numerous benefits for both partners including:

§ EPA internships during summer and the academic year
§ Agency participation in career fairs to make students, faculty and alumni aware of employment opportunities at EPA
§ Faculty and student participation from SF State in public policy forums, presentations, and other events at EPA
§ EPA staff participation in lectures, conferences, and other events at SF State
§ Provision of EPA expertise and/or resources for environmental curriculum development and teaching at SF State